Defending beyond the No. 1 and 2

by mercury22nathan Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:32 am

Here was one problem with Miami’s 2016 pass defense that needs fixing: While Football Outsiders said the Dolphins ranked fourth defending the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver and fourth against the No. 2 receiver, they were 31st (second-worst) against all other receivers.

The takeaway there is that slot corner Bobby McCain must be better; so must Miami’s fourth corner (likely Alterraun Verner, with Tony Lippett out for the season).

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article167568842.html

that's a pretty dramatic difference. i'll also assume "all other receivers" includes the TE which everyone knows the Phins haven't been able to cover in years. so the safeties and LBers share the blame too. so the question, will it improve this year?

by **JMP** Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:54 am

We've really done nothing to improve the pass D at safety and LB, so I'll say no - it won't improve. Nate Allen is not a good coverage safety, and Timmons is awful against the pass at this stage of his career (just ask the Patriots). And the likely starting MLB (Mike Hull) is so bad in coverage that he might actually make Timmons look decent. And Alonso is below average in coverage (to put it mildly), whether he is playing MLB or OLB.

Getting a healthy Jones back will help, and maybe McDonald will help at the end of the season...but realistically, coverage play at LB and S may actually be worse than it was last season IMHO.

Defending beyond the No. 1 and 2

Defending beyond the No. 1 and 2

Re: Defending beyond the No. 1 and 2